clinical research companies in the us

Top 17 Clinical Research Organizations (CRO) in 2023

In clinical research and treatment development, clinical research organizations (CROs) are frequently a sponsor’s most important partner and ally.

Depending on the nature of the clinical trial, and your existing capabilities as a sponsor to run the trial, the CRO company of your choice will typically be responsible for facilitating most of the micro and macro processes that go into designing and running a successful clinical trial.

When contracting a CRO to help you with your trial, you are transferring over a large portion of responsibility into the hands of your clinical research partner. The CRO of your choice will have the responsibility to control a variety of factors and processes of a clinical trial, and depending on their expertise, team structures, service offerings, internal resources and many other capabilities.

Your ability to find and contract a top CRO company that is the right fit for your unique trial will be a determinant of whether or not you will be able to operate a high-quality clinical trial that meets your expected timelines, budget and delivers a top-notch patient experience.

At ClaraHealth (a patient-centric recruitment acceleration platform) , we have put together an extensive list of the top CRO companies in the US and around the world.

This is not a cro rankings list, but rather a compiled list of some of the top clinical research organizations around the world. We have highlighted their strengths and core service offerings to make it easier for you to find the right fit clinical research partner.

In addition, we’ve put together a list of 9 fundamental questions to ask the prospective clinical research organization , which will help you to save time and ensure a right fit in picking the CRO.

Formerly known as Quintiles and IMS Health, IQVIA is one of the largest CROs in the world, with a large range of service offerings to help advance clinical research.

The company was founded in North Carolina in 1982, and has since grown to over 88,000 employees in more than 100 countries.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by IQVIA include:

• Assistance with protocol design
• Design of phase 1 clinical trials
• Assessment and improvement of phase 2 and 3 clinical trials
• Site identification & selection
• Patient recruitment
• Access to global laboratories via their wholly owned subsidiary Q2 Solutions

Parexel is a global clinical research organization that was founded in 1982, and specializes in conducting clinical studies on behalf of its pharmaceutical partners in order to accelerate and ensure the drug approval process of up-and-coming potential treatments. It currently operates in more than 50 countries, and is run by more than 18,000 employees around the world.

The company has a wide range of service offerings, covering nearly every type of clinical trial service to assist sponsors in running successful clinical studies.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by Parexel include:

• Clinical trial design and development for early phase, phase 2 & 3, and late phase clinical trials
• Clinical data management
• Decentralized clinical trials
• Clinical supply chain management
• Medical writing
• Regulatory affairs consulting
• Pharmacovigilance

3. PRA Health Sciences

PRA Health Sciences is one of the largest contract research organizations in the world. Founded in 1976 under the name “Anti-Inflammatory Drug Study Group”, the company was renamed to PRA in 1982. PRA Health Sciences employees more than 17,000 people, and provides coverage to more than 90 countries.

In 2021, PRA Health Sciences was acquired by the Ireland-headquartered global CRO leader ICON, which is also reviewed in this list.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by PRA Health Sciences include:

• Decentralized Clinical Trials Platform
• Protocol Consultation & Study Design
• Onsite Support services
• Customized Solutions for Biotech (such as asset valuation, regulatory strategy, engagement and support, drug development strategy and funding solutions)
• Clinical Diagnostics
• Site Commercial Solutions
• PRA’s Laboratories for Drug Development

Headquartered in Ireland, ICON was founded in 1990 in Dublin by co-founders John Climax and Ronan Lambre. The company has since grown to be one of the largest CROs in the world. As of September 2020, the company employs more than 15,000 people in 94 locations and across 40 countries.

ICON offers clinical research services which include consulting, clinical development and commercialization across a wide range of therapeutic areas.

In 2021, ICON acquired PRA Health Sciences, which is another CRO and global leader in clinical research services.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by ICON:

• Commercial Positioning
• Early Phase
• Functional Services Provision
• Laboratories
• Language Services
• Medical Imaging
• Real World Intelligence
• Site & Patient Solutions
• COVID-19 Clinical Operations

5. Syneos Health

Formerly known as InVentiv Health Incorporated and INC Research, Syneos Health is a publicly listed and global contract research organization. The company is based in Morrisville, North Carolina, and specializes in assisting companies with late-stage clinical trials. Syneos Health currently employs more than 25,000 people, and has offices across 91 locations.

In early 2018, INC Research was acquired inVentiv Health, and the merged company was named Syneos Health.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by Syneos Health include:

• Decentralized Clinical Trials Solutions
• Bioanalytical Solutions
• Phase II-III/Phase IIIb-IIIV
• Medical Device Diagnostics
• Clinical Data Management
• Clinical Project Management
• Clinical Monitoring
• Drug Safety & Pharmacovigilance
• Site and Patient Access

6. Labcorp Drug Development (Formerly Covance)

Formerly known as Covance and renamed to Labcorp Drug Development in early 2021, this CRO is one of the largest contract research organizations in the world. The company claims to provide the world’s largest central laboratory network, and has been rated as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality by the Human Rights Campaign organization in 2018 to 2021. Currently, Labcorp employs over 70,000 people and is able to support clinical research efforts in almost 100 countries around the world.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by Labcorp Drug Development include:

• Preclinical Services
• Clinical Trials
• Clinical Trial Laboratory Services
• Post-Marketing Solutions
• Medical Devices
• Data & Technology

Also known as Pharmaceutical Product Development, PPD is a large global contract research organization headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina. Started as a one-person consulting firm in 1985, PPD has grown to over 27,000 employees worldwide, and provides a wide range of clinical research services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by PPD include:

• Clinical Development
• Early Development
• Peri- and Post-Approval
• PPD Biotech
• PPD Laboratories
• Product Development and Consulting
• Site and Patient Centric Solutions

8. Fisher Clinical Services

Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Fisher Clinical Services is a global clinical research organization with headquarters in Center Valley, Philadelphia.

The company has been in the business of clinical supply chain management for over 20 years, and is focused exclusively on working with the packaging and distribution requirements of clinical trials across the globe.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by Fisher Clinical Services include:

• Biologistics Management
• Cell & Gene Therapy
• Clinical Ancillary Management
• Clinical Label Services
• Clinical Trial Packaging & Storage
• Clinical Supply Optimization Services
• Cold Chain Management & Expertise
• Direct-to-Patient
• Distribution & Logistics
• Strategic Comparator Sourcing
• Public Health Research

Established in 1997 under the name Kiecana Clinical Research, KCR is a full-service contract research organization that provides a variety of services for clinical monitoring, safety & pharmacovigilance, clinical project management, quality assurance and regulatory affairs.

KCR operates globally, and has offices in North America, Western Europe, Central Europe and Eartern Europe. The company currently employs more than 700 staff.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by KCR include:

• Trial Execution

10. Medpace

Founded in 1992 and based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Medpace is a midsize clinical contract research organization. The company has operations in over 45 countries, and employs over 2,800 people. Medpace provides support services for Phase I-IV clinical trials for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, which include central laboratory services and regulatory services.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by Medpace include:

• Biostatistics and Data Sciences
• Clinical Trial Management
• Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance
• Medical Writing
• Quality Assurance
• Regulatory Affairs
• Risk-Based Monitoring
• Medpace Laboratories

11. Clintec

Now in business for over 22 years, Clintec is a medium-sized global contract research organization for pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries, with large expertise in oncology and rare diseases.

The company provides the flexibility and agility of a smaller-sized CRO, while also having a wide global coverage that large CRO companies are known for. Clintec is based in more than 50 countries, and was acquired by the leading global CRO IQVIA in late 2018.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by Clintec include:

• Project Management
• Data Management
• Biostatistics
• Global Feasibilities
• Patient Recruitment & Retention

12. Worldwide Clinical Trials

Bringing over 30 years of experience to the clinical research market, Worldwide Clinical Trials is a leading medium-sized global contract research organization. Founded by physicians with a dedication and commitment to advancing medical research, Worldwide Clinical Trials was the first customer-centric CRO.

Currently the company has coverage in more than 60 countries, and has extensive experience in a wide range of therapeutic areas, including central nervous system, metabolic, cardiovascular, oncology, rare diseases and general medicine.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by Worldwide Clinical Trials include:

• Bioanalytical Lab
• Early Phase Development
• Clinical Phase IIB-II Clinical Trials
• Phase IIIB-IV Clinical Trials
• Trial Management Technologies

Named #1 CRO in the world for operational excellence at the 2021 CRO Leadership Awards, CTI Clinical Trial And Consulting Services is a medium-sized global contract research organization that has been serving pharmaceutical companies since 1999.

Based in Covington, Kentucky, CTI has offices around the world in more than 60 countries, with coverage in North America, Europe, Latin America, Middle-East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by CTI include:

• Feasibility
• Regulatory Affairs Study Start-Up
• Medical Monitoring
• Safety & Pharmacovigilance
• Clinical Services

14. Wuxi AppTec

Founded in 2000 as WuXi PharmaTech in the city of Wuxi, China, Wuxi AppTec has grown from a single laboratory into a leading global contract research organization with more than 28,000 employees, including 23,000 scientists and more than 30 research & development and manufacturing sites around the world.

With offices in Asia, U.S, Europe and the Middle East, the company is able to provide coverage to more than 30 countries around the world.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by Wuxi AppTec include:

• Small Molecule Drug R&D and Manufacturing
• Cell Therapy and Gene Therapy
• Drug R&D and Medical Device Testing
• Clinical Services (Phase I-IV)

15. Advanced Clinical

Founded in 1994 and based out of Deerfield, Illinois, Advanced Clinical is a midsize and full-service CRO that helps sponsors with running clinical trials. The company employs more than 700 staff, and offers a wide variety of services across many therapeutic areas. Advanced Clinical has global representation in over 50 countries around the world.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by Advanced Clinical include:

• eTMF & Document Management
• Global Medical Services
• Quality & Validation

16. Pharm-Olam

Pharm-Olam is a leading midsize CRO with global headquarters located in Houston, Texas and its European headquarters in Bracknell, United Kingdom. The company employs more than 800 staff, and has 25 offices around the world, with a global coverage in more than 60 countries.

The company has therapeutic expertise in 5 areas, including Rare & Orphan Disease, Infectious Disease & Vaccine, Oncology-Hematology, Allergy and Autoimmune.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by Pharm-Olam include:

• Study Feasibility
• Site Activation
• Patient Recruitment
• Medical Affairs
• Compliance & Training
• Clinical Monitoring & Operations

17. Clinipace

Founded in 2003 and based out of Morrisville, North Carolina, Clinipace is a global midsize full-service CRO with a focus on solution customization for clinical trials. The company has a large global coverage in more than 50 countries, and has offices in North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.

Clinipace’s therapeutic focus areas include Oncology, Nephrology and Urology, Rare Disease, Gastroenterology and Women’s Health. The company also has complete therapeutic expertise in Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Cardiology, CNS, Immunology, and Respiratory.

Some clinical trial solutions offered by Clinipace include:

• Clinical Analytics
• Clinical Technology and Ecosystem
• Functional Service Partnership (FSP)
• Regulatory & Strategic Product Development

9 Fundamental Questions To Ask A Top CRO Company Before Signing The Contract

1. which services does the cro provide.

CROs offload a lot of operational tasks from trial sponsors, which can touch any component of clinical trial operations. From formulating an overall study strategy and implementing technologies to support the operational processes of the trial, to picking and identifying sites, and supporting patients during the trial, the range of clinical services offered by a CRO tends to be vast and inclusive of all the typical services and support you will require for running a successful clinical trial.

However, not all CROs are the same in their service offerings, or are able to offer the same depth of capability within a seemingly same clinical trial support process. For this reason it is important to understand exactly which kind of clinical services and support you are looking to receive from the prospective CRO when running your clinical trial.

While services such as clinical monitoring and clinical trial management are offered by the majority of CROs, the specific needs of each trial are unique, and for this reason it is important to first identify what will be the unique services your trial requires. Completing this internal analysis first will help you to understand the extent to which a potential CRO partner will be able to provide all of these services.

Some CROs specialize in specific clinical trial functions which the company may label as a “core services”, in which case this is a sign the company will have more expertise, experience, and will be set up in a way to maximize their capabilities in providing support for these services compared to other services that the CRO offers.

For example, a CRO may include patient recruitment as part of its “core services”, which implies that they are highly skilled in and have the necessary infrastructure to design and implement a high-quality patient recruitment strategy.

Clara Health CRO Support Services: At Clara Health our specialty services include technology-augmented digital and patient advocacy recruitment, as well as patient support via our signature patient recruitment platform, which we use to upgrade clinical trials and deliver results sponsors look for in their recruitment and retention campaigns.

At Clara, we work alongside CROs to supplement and support clinical trials with modern and personalized capabilities that CROs do not typically have the bandwidth, corporate structure or infrastructure to support.

If you would like to learn more about exactly how our platform can upgrade your unique trial, feel free to book a Free 30 Minute Consultation Session Here with one of our in-house experts.

2. What Related Experience Does The CRO Have?

It is helpful to ask the prospective CRO company if they have any relevant experience in running clinical trials that would be an asset in designing and running your study. Previous experience in a related therapeutic area or in running a trial with a similar design allows CROs to have a deeper understanding into potential opportunities and challenges, increasing the likelihood of your clinical study being successful.

For example, if a sponsor is planning to run a trial in oncology, for the purpose of site identification and selection it would be valuable to partner with a CRO vendor that has expertise in this area, as they likely already have a good understanding of which sites will lead to optimal results.

However, it is also important to consider all factors when selecting a CRO vendor and not to rely on therapeutic experience as the sole qualifier for whether or not a potential CRO is a fit for your trial. While previous experience is beneficial, some sponsors close themselves off from working with vendors that have not worked in their therapeutic area, which significantly limits options when choosing a CRO partner that is truly a good fit for their clinical study.

This can impact the end result of your clinical study, as sponsors that are not successful in choosing a CRO vendor that is the right overall fit may face difficulties if the needs of their clinical study aren’t being properly met.

Clara Health: We have worked to provide support for clinical trials across a wide range of therapeutic areas and trial designs. Our specialty is filling in the gaps that CROs traditionally did not have to think about, which include digital patient recruitment, patient advocacy recruitment, and technology-augmented patient support.

Additionally, we are constantly building our proprietary data and running tests in a variety of therapeutic areas. These research efforts allow us to have a detailed understanding of the expected level of difficulty when recruiting particular patient populations, as well as allow us to predict with accuracy which segments of the targeted population will be likely to qualify in a particular study.

3. What Are The Communication Workflows & Expectations For Performing And Delivering Contracted Services?

It is important that you clarify what the expectations for communication will be between your prospective CRO vendor and your internal teams, as you will most likely be working with the CRO of your choice for the entire duration of your clinical trial.

There are a vast variety of factors and success determinants for a clinical trial, which are continuously undergoing change as the study unfolds. For this reason, it is recommended that you work with a CRO that is proactive in their communication, so that you are kept up to date with information about important changes as your clinical trial progresses.

A vendor that is proactive rather than reactive in their communication and approach to dealing with arising issues is one of the most important qualities in CRO. Challenging situations will naturally arise, and the promptness with which they are taken care of will significantly impact your clinical trial’s degree of success. Therefore, seeking a vendor that is able to match the standard of communication that you as a sponsor would like to experience throughout the duration of your partnership is one of the most critical steps in determining which CRO is the right fit for your clinical trial.

We’ve included a few additional questions pertaining to the communication structure and reporting expectations that you can ask a prospective CRO vendor to determine the degree of fit in this particular category:

Communication Expectations:

• If we were to move forward with you, which of your team members will be our main point of contact?
• How available will you be outside of the scheduled meetings to address any of our concerns or additional requests?
• What will be the frequency at which update meetings will be conducted, and who will be present at those meetings?
• Which clinical study processes will be reported on, and what will be the workflow for how we will receive this information?
• What will be the cadence at which we will receive progress reports?
• Would we be able to access metrics electronically via an interactive dashboard, or will you send us formal reports?

Clara Health: At Clara Health, we directly interact and actively work with several key stakeholders involved in running a clinical trial, which includes sponsors, CROs, sites, and patients. This unique position allows us to have a centralized perspective which helps us to see all the moving parts of a clinical trial at the same time, which helps to identify issues and relay this vital information and insight back to the sponsor (or other appropriate stakeholders) in the shortest time possible.

The ability to access this perspective allows us to gather the most accurate, complete, and up-to-date information about how the clinical trial is unfolding, and quickly becomes very valuable to sponsors for their clinical trial.

As an example, we may receive feedback from patients about having an unsatisfactory experience with a particular study site. We are able to aggregate and analyze this information, and relay our findings back to the sponsor and the study site to improve the experience for other patients.

4. What Is The CRO’s Client Satisfaction Record?

It is a good practice to request information or metrics from the prospective CRO vendor that can point to the degree of satisfaction of their past clients. Prior to signing the contract, vendors will naturally do their best to uplift their image and future value to you during their sales conversations with you and your team. It can be tricky to get an objective understanding of what the partnership experience will actually entail, especially when there are multiple vendors fighting for your commitment.

We recommend that you ask the prospective vendor to provide success metrics regarding areas of clinical trial operations that are going to be important for your trial.

For example, you may be interested in learning about the vendor’s relationship to finances, in which case it will be useful to ask them about situations in which they went over the planned budget, and investigate into the reasons behind that. Alternatively you may be concerned about potential delays in timelines, in which case it would be helpful to learn about metrics regarding the CRO’s ability to meet timeline expectations.

You may also request to talk to the prospective CRO’s past clients, which will help you to gain insight into what the relationship was like and give you the opportunity to examine if the way in which the particular CRO manages its relationships and performs its services meets the expectations that you would have for your potential relationship and for your clinical trial.

Clara Health: At Clara Health, our relationships with our partners and with our patients are most important to us. In the unique position where we fit in the clinical trial process, we have the opportunity to directly co-create the clinical trial patient experience with a variety of stakeholders, including sponsors, sites, CROs, and patients.

Our company’s values and culture have been directed and developed to be such that the client and patient experience is at the top of priority for all of our internal teams, and we work to provide the best quality of care to all stakeholders.

We have many testimonials from every type of partner we’ve worked with which we can happily share with you.

5. How Do You Adapt When Encountering Challenges With Running A Clinical Trial?

It is inevitable that challenges and unforeseen changes will arise throughout the operational clinical trial process, and for this reason it is important to work with a CRO vendor that can provide you with evidence of their flexibility and ability to adapt to sudden changes.

The ideal CRO partner is one that is highly consultative throughout the entire process, and has an ability and the initiative to deal with challenges at their seed stage, prior to them turning into major obstacles for the success of your trial.

CROs naturally have a large reach, and there are a lot of different clinical trial mechanisms and processes that are under their control. They are able to monitor and respond to what is going on in every key link in the chain of the clinical trial operation.

It is reasonable to expect this level of oversight from a CRO, and additional questions that can help you gain insight into this include:

• What are some examples where the CRO was effective at monitoring the health of clinical trials they’ve helped operate in the past?
• How quickly does the CRO respond to challenges or opportunities for improving the clinical trial experience?
• How well does the CRO gather & process information from study sites, study teams, patients & the sponsor, and what are their typical data analysis workflows?

It is also recommended to speak to the prospective CROs past clients to help you gain insight into how well they respond and adapt to the naturally arising challenges in clinical trials.

Clara Health: While CROs do have a large reach within the clinical trial, no CRO has complete visibility into every clinical process. They are not typically set up to support full visibility, which can manifest as a potential threat to your clinical trial as it unfolds. This is especially true for parts of the clinical trial processes that CROs naturally do not specialize and often subcontract, such as clinical trial recruitment.

At Clara, we are in a unique position in relation to other key partners involved in operating the clinical trial. We are in direct and frequent contact with patients, CROs, study sites, study teams, and the sponsor, and have a very deep understanding of the patient pipeline. This allows us the unique ability to go very deep into specific parts of the recruitment chain and investigate what is working and what is not working.

In addition, Clara functions as a resource for all partners in the clinical trial. For example, we work directly with site teams to ensure that they have access to a 3rd party that they can relay their needs to and receive fast support in case there is anything they require that can improve the patient recruitment process.

6. Which Parts Of Operating The Clinical Trial Will You Be Outsourcing?

Since there are so many processes and mechanisms that go into operating a clinical trial, CROs will always outsource some parts of running and managing the study. While you can expect that the prospective CRO will subcontract some of the work, it is important to find out which exact parts the clinical study will be outsourced.

There are certain basic and key clinical processes (such as site selection) that CROs almost always help with, and if you find that these parts of your trial are going to be subcontracted to another company, it is recommended to find out why the CROs operations are set up this way and how this would impact the service you will receive.

Ultimately what matters to you as a partner and client is that the quality of service and care that you will receive will be up to standard, and meet what was promised and what you are expecting. While this trust is important after you have signed the contract, it is recommended that prior to entering into such a significant commitment that you have evidence and the conviction that the CRO of your choice is truly the right fit and will deliver the quality of service that was being discussed.

Since it is impossible to predict exactly what the quality of this relationship and services performed will actually be like in practice, it is recommended that you understand the details of what will be done for your trial and how. Investigating how the CRO outsources and subcontracts services for a clinical trial will help you to gain necessary insight that you would need to make the correct vendor selection decision.

Clara Health: At Clara, we maximize the effectiveness of the digital component across the entire digital & recruitment spectrum, which is added on top of the existing capabilities of the CROs and other vendors involved in operating your clinical trial. In addition, we offer services that augment the CROs efforts, which has the potential to significantly improve the patient experience, operations flows, recruitment and retention performance, which is so important in ensuring the success of a clinical trial.

For example, if a CRO wants to have a great site relationship, we are able to come in as a third party on behalf of the sponsor and CRO and act as a resource and additional support for sites.

In another example, If a sponsor wants to have great relationships with the patient community, Clara is able to come in on behalf of the sponsor and develop these relationships while being perceived more neutrally by the patient community.

7. Do You Have Experience Running International Trials?

If you are planning on operating an international clinical trial, it is recommended to work with a CRO that has extensive experience in this area. While many CROs will offer near-global coverage, the level of experience with specific geographic locations can significantly vary from one vendor to another.

It is important to work with a CRO that has experience running clinical trials in the specific countries and regions you are planning to conduct your research in. Being compliant with the local rules and regulations for clinical testing is a very complex process that requires existing understanding and familiarity in order to ensure logistical smoothness and to mitigate legal risks. In operating a clinical trial, there are a multitude of clinical services and processes, which can greatly vary across the many regions in which you can conduct clinical testing.

A CRO that is lacking experience in operating international trials or operating in particular regions where you plan on conducting research may not be able to meet your desired quality and agility expectations, and therefore may not be the right fit for your international clinical trial.

Clara Health: In the past, we have provided international patient recruitment and digitally-augmented trial support services for clinical trials in the EU, Canada, UK, Australia and South America.

Clara Health is fully compliant to operate international studies everywhere in the world, with the exception of Russia and China.

8. What Is Your Relationship With Patients?

Patient-centric approach to designing and operating a clinical trial is becoming more and more crucial in the clinical research space. The ability of a sponsor and their CRO partner to understand the needs and characteristics of their target patient community is a significant determinant of whether or not the study will be a success.

A sponsor that has close and authentic relationships with the patient community tends to have a deeper understanding of how to create the best clinical trial experience that will attract patients and keep their interest throughout the clinical trial.

In addition, strong relationships with patients allow sponsors and CROs to forecast recruitment and patient retention pipeline with much higher accuracy. This ability is critical for ensuring the success of the trial and mitigating the risk of low enrollment. After an understanding of the patient population is acquired, sponsors gain the necessary insight to design a clinical trial that is not only favorable to their research results, but is also practical and will result in the enrollment numbers they are looking for.

While many CROs have already recognized the importance of patient-centricity and evolved the ways in which they design and operate clinical trials, other CROs have not yet made such a pivot in their values. It is important to understand the degree of importance the prospective CRO places on creating a favorable patient experience, and what kind of infrastructure the company has to support it.

At Clara, we recommend choosing a CRO partner that is adapting to the patient-centric model which is becoming more and more important for running a successful clinical trial.

Clara Health: Since early stages of our development, we’ve had a dedicated patient advocacy team that has been integral in shaping our company’s vision and operations. We have built our entire platform and recruitment infrastructure around creating the best experience for patients. Our teams, corporate values, service offerings and company infrastructure all work in the service of the patient.

In addition, over the many years of being in business we have heavily invested in building authentic patient community relationships that span across a variety of therapeutic areas. This has given us a unique ability to receive feedback directly from patients that is genuine and authentic around marketing materials, strategy for patient recruitment, and other services that we build for specific trials.

This ability to build partnerships with the patient community in an authentic way gives us a very unique ability to engage with the patient community on behalf of a pharmaceutical company, allowing our sponsor & CRO partners the opportunity to start conversations with patients through our in-house patient advocacy team.

If you would like to learn how Clara can help you to build a strong & authentic relationship with your target patient community, get in touch with us and we’d be happy to share our capabilities and previous results with you as they relate to your current or upcoming clinical trial.

9. How Is The CRO Going To Utilize Patient Input For Developing The Trial?

In the initial stages of clinical trial design, sponsors often determine the ideal patient profiles that would help them to drive the most favorable research outcomes for their study. While it is important for the success of your trial to determine who your ideal patients are, very often these projections do not match up with what is viable in practice.

At Clara, we often encounter study protocols that are not set up realistically for successful recruitment to be possible.

Common mistakes that are made when determining trial eligibility criteria and trial design include:

• Overestimating the interest in the clinical trial from the target patient population
• A lack of patient focus in the trial design
• A lack of convenience for patients in their participation
• Complicated and/or inefficient study experience flows
• Crafting the eligibility criteria around the patient population that is most likely to lead to favorable study outcomes, without conducting sufficient research to more accurately estimate the recruitment and retention difficulty of the group for a particular study

It is natural for there to be a “push & pull” between the research ideal and the real world practicality. It is important to determine the correct balance between these two sides for your trial, as going too far in either direction will decrease the chance of your clinical study’s success.

The nature of the industry as it is right now is such that there is excess research idealization and not enough emphasis on patient centricity. This distorted orientation has resulted in many clinical trials being unsuccessful, negatively impacting sponsors, patients and the entire clinical trials industry.

The ideal CRO partner should help you make sure that your protocol design sets your study up for success. The CRO should be able to help you determine the proper balance between the research ideal and the real world practicality, and back up their findings with sufficient research and patient data that can project your trial being a success.

Clara Health: When formulating a recruitment and retention plan for our clients, we begin with conducting thorough research into the target trial patient population. This allows us to get a clear understanding of which recruitment channels will yield the best results and what kind of marketing materials will resonate with the prospective study participants.

To ensure accuracy and real-world applicability of our research, we consult and collaborate with our internal patient advocacy and patient support teams, as well as with our clients and patients representing the target trial patient profiles. We then tie our findings back with any existing proprietary data that we have in connection with the therapeutic area or the prospective target patient group.

Our unique position within the clinical recruitment chain gives us the presence and deep-rooted access needed to effectively tap into any of the three patient traffic sources: digital recruitment, offline recruitment, or patient advocacy recruitment.

Once a recruitment campaign has gone live, we constantly monitor, analyze and optimize our performance to make sure that the processes we have in place are as efficient as possible and drive the greatest results. In addition, we have the capability to layer in any traditional advertising (such as billboard ads) if requested by the study sponsor.

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The Top 10 Clinical Research Companies in the USA

• Dec 02, 2022
• Posted By: admin

To bring effective medicines and Innovations in healthcare industry , a Clinical Research Organization or Contract Research Organization (CRO) are a must for the Biotech, Medtech, and pharma industries. A CRO offers comprehensive support to their efforts to test, examine, refine and market the latest medicines and devices that help in improving Healthcare Industry.

In 2022, the global clinical research market stands at $63.6 billion , and by 2027, it is expected to reach around an exciting amount of 115.1 billion with a CAGR of 11.0% from 2022 to 2027.

This growth is powered by an increase in R&D activities and expenditures and a significant rise in clinical trials owing to the need for innovations in healthcare. For that reason, it is also essential to be aware of the most prominent global research organizations that offer vital support with their specialized clinical trial solutions. This post will walk you through the ten big Clinical Research Companies In USA . So, let’s begin:

• Founded: 1982
• Headquarters: Durham, North Carolina
• Annual Revenue : $13.87B
• Employee Size: 88,000

IQVIA is one of the largest Clinical Research companies in the world that works profusely to enhance healthcare by integrating the study of human science with discoveries in technology and data science to improve understanding of human health and provide better and quicker care.

It helps pharma companies, along with other medical organizations, to innovate and maximize positive outcomes. In addition to clinical research and development, IQVIA has also developed analytics and technology solutions to aid the medical sector in commercializing products and enhancing customer engagement.

Some clinical trial solutions given by IQVIA are as follows:

• Site identification & Selection
• Help with protocol design
• Design of clinical trial phase -1
• Investigation and improvements of the clinical trial in phases 2 and 3
• Accessibility to global laboratories

2. Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD)

• Founded: 1985
• Headquarters: Wilmington, North Carolina
• Annual Revenue: $65.0M
• Employee Size: 24,000

PPD, also known as Pharmaceutical Product Development, is an extensive research organization headquartered in the United States but has a widespread global presence.

The company directs its attention to three prime areas: pharma development, lifecycle management services, and laboratory. Besides, it has clients and partners covering various sectors, including pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, medical device manufacturers, and government or academic organizations. 

Some clinical trials offered by PPD include:

• Early Development
• Consulting and Product Development
• PPD Biotech
• The site and patient-centered Solutions
• Clinical Development

• Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts
• Annual Revenue: $3B
• Employee Size: 18,000

Parexel is another important name in the list of Clinical Research Companies In USA that specializes on behalf of its pharmaceutical partners in carrying out clinical studies to boost and make certain that the medicine approval process takes place smoothly. It has a wide range of offerings that spreads across every type of clinical trial service to help sponsors work on creating successful trials.

Some of the clinical trial solutions which Paraxel offers:

• Management of clinical data
• Medical writing
• Regulatory affairs consulting
• Design and development of clinical trials at all phases
• Clinical supply chain management

With pride, the company operates in over 50 countries and owns over 95% of the top 200 selling biopharmaceuticals in today’s market.

4. PRA Health Services

• Founded: 1976
• Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina
• Annual Revenue: $64.3M
• Employee Size: 16,400

PRA Health Sciences is a contract research organization that provides coverage in more than 90 countries worldwide. It principally centers on contributing therapeutic and operational expertise through integrated applications and supplying local expertise in particular areas. Besides, it works in the early and end stages of clinical trial procedures and the domains of strategy, consultancy, technology, and bio-analytics.

Moreover, it works hard to speed up medicine development operations to introduce better and more effective medicine sooner in the market.

Let’s take a peek at the PRA Health Sciences clinical trial solutions:

• Onsite support services
• Personalized solutions for Biotech
• Clinical Diagnostics
• Site Commercial Solutions
• Protocol Consultation and Study Design
• PRA’s Laboratories for Medicine Development

5. Syneos Heath

• Founded: 1999
• Headquarters: Morrisville, North Carolina
• Annual Revenue: $5,213M
• Employee Size: 28,000

With the merger of inVentiv Health and INC Research, Syneos Health was created that combines every discipline involved in bringing new therapies or products to market, from clinical research to consulting and commercialization.

Though it provides clinical development services spanning all stages, it primarily owns a specialization in helping healthcare organizations with the late stages of clinical trials. Moreover, its commercial solutions cover communication, consulting, and medication adherence.

The clinical trial solutions it offers include:

• Early phase
• Decentralized clinical trial solutions
• Clinical data management
• Pharmaceutical
• Medical Device Diagnostics

• Founded: 1978
• Headquarters: Burlington, North Carolina
• Annual Revenue: $16.1B
• Employee Size: 70,000

Laboratory Corporation of America, or LabCorp, focuses on offering extensive clinical laboratory solutions and end-to-end medication and diagnostic development and commercialization.

The company develops special testing operations such as HIV genotyping, oncology testing, phenotyping, clinical trials, and diagnostic genetics. Moreover, its services are spread through care organizations, hospitals, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and physicians.

Some clinical trial solutions provided by LabCorp are:

• Preclinical Services
• Post-Marketing Solutions
• Medical Devices
• Clinical Trial Laboratory Services
• Clinical Trials
• Data & Technology

7. Charles River Lab

• Founded: 1947
• Headquarters: Wilmington, Massachusetts
• Annual Revenue: $690.4M
• Employee Size: 20,000

Charles River laboratories proudly span its capabilities throughout the medical R&D process from basic research to pre-clinical stage testing, manufacturing and commercialization within two significant services: Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP. It offers precise support to help its partners advance their research and efforts to introduce effective medicines in the market.

The company further serves biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, government agencies, and academic institutions.

Some of the clinical development solutions it offers include:

• Bioanalysis
• Clinical Kitting services
• Data management
• Quality control
• Stability testing

8. Fisher Clinical Services

• Founded: 1989
• Headquarters: Center Valley, Philadelphia
• Annual Revenue: $17B
• Employee Size: 50,000

Fisher Clinical Services is a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific that has been for over 20 years in the business of supply chain management. It focuses exclusively on working with distribution and packaging requirements of clinical trials happening around the globe.

The company is committed to providing high-value products which adhere to the standard of pharmaceutical companies and is reliable, sustainable and perform well.

Some of the clinical trial solutions offered by Fisher Clinical Services are:

• Cell & Gene Therapy
• Clinical Label Services
• Clinical Supply Optimization services
• Direct to patient
• Biologistics management

9. Medpace Holdings

• Founded: 1992
• Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio
• Revenue: $1B
• Employee Size: 1,001-5,000

Medpace offers support services for phases one to five of clinical trials for biotechnology, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device industries. It is a scientifically-driven organization that offers full service and helps industries make key differences with their contributions to the healthcare sector.

Some of the clinical research solutions that you receive from Medpace are:

• Medical Writing
• Quality Assurance
• Clinical Monitoring
• Clinical Trial Management
• Risk-based Monitoring
• Regulatory Affairs
• Biostatistics and Data sciences

10. Advanced Clinical

• Founded: 1994
• Headquartered: Deerfield, Illinois
• Annual Revenue: $106M
• Employee Size: 501-1,000

A mid-size and full-service Clinical Research organization that helps sponsors run clinical trials and offers various solutions across therapeutic fields. It allows clients to secure better outcomes through candid discussions, conversations, foresight, and innovative solutions.

The company works hard to improve every life touched by clinical research. As such, some clinical solutions provided by Advanced Clinical are:

• Project management
• Clinical monitoring
• eTMF and document management
• Quality & Validation

The Bottom Line

There you have it – the best Clinical Research Companies In USA to get support from while working on new medicine or medical devices.

CROs play a critical role in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries to manage and lead their clinical trials now more than ever due to rapidly rising prices, regulations, and tighter deadlines. Also pharmaceutical companies approaching Clinical Research Organizations for their R&D activities to stay competitive, flexible, and profitable against all odds.

Top 15 Clinical Research Companies: Leaders in Medical Innovation

What’s on this page:

In the healthcare industry, the number of contract research organizations in the US has reached 2,823 in 2023. This marks a subtle but significant increase of 0.9% compared to the previous year.

This increase signals a vital trend: the growing complexity of finding the best clinical research companies in a crowded field. These organizations aren’t just businesses; they’re important in advancing medicine and developing drugs and therapies.

With such an important task, choosing the right company becomes essential. In this guide, we’ve looked closely at many companies along with their strengths and weaknesses and made a list of the top clinical research organizations. 

By the end, you’ll know which company is the best fit for your needs.

Quick List of Top 15 Clinical Research Companies

Here is a quick overview of the best companies of clinical research:

• IQVIA: Best for data-driven insights and advanced analytics in healthcare research.
• ICON: Best for comprehensive clinical development services and therapeutic expertise.
• Parexel: Best for global biopharmaceutical services, emphasizing regulatory and clinical trial excellence.
• Syneos Health: Best for integrated biopharmaceutical solutions and clinical-commercial capabilities.
• PPD: Best for drug development services with innovative, technology-enhanced trial strategies.
• Labcorp: Best for comprehensive clinical testing and diagnostics services with global reach.
• Medpace: Best for expertise in clinical research and regulatory affairs for pharmaceutical companies.
• Charles River Laboratories: Best for preclinical research and development services, including animal testing and research models.
• PRA Health Sciences: Best for clinical trial expertise and integrated solutions for biopharmaceutical development.
• AdvanCell: Best for innovative cell and tissue-based research solutions for life science industries.
• Dynata: Best for data-driven insights and market research services for informed decision-making.
• Covance: Best for end-to-end drug development solutions, from preclinical to post-marketing.
• MedNet: Best for technology solutions and eClinical platforms for streamlined clinical trials.
• Fisher Clinical Services Inc: Best for global logistics and supply chain services for clinical trial materials.
• Worldwide Clinical Trials: Best for specialized CRO offering personalized clinical research solutions.

3 Best Clinical Research Organizations: Comparison Chart

Here’s a comparison table to highlight the key features and differences among the best companies of clinical research. This table aims to provide a quick overview of each company’s unique strengths and areas of expertise in the pharmaceutical and healthcare research sector.

3 Top Clinical Research Organization List For Advanced Medical Discoveries

Now, we’ll explore the top clinical research organizations (CROs) dedicated to advancing medical discoveries. Let’s jump into the details of these exceptional organizations.

IQVIA is a global leader in clinical research and healthcare data analytics. They play a crucial role in the medical field by providing comprehensive data, advanced analytics, and expert insights. This helps pharmaceutical and healthcare companies make smarter, more effective decisions. 

Why is IQVIA among the best? Their strength lies in their vast database and advanced technology, which enable them to analyze complex healthcare data efficiently. This leads to a better understanding of diseases, more effective treatments, and faster drug development. 

IQVIA’s work is essential because it speeds up the process of bringing new medicines to the market, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide. In short, IQVIA is a key catalyst in advancing global healthcare.

About IQVIA

• Founding Team: Dennis Gillings
• Founding Year: 1982
• Company Size:   86,000

Features of IQVIA

IQVIA, a prominent player in the life sciences sector, is dedicated to advancing healthcare through connected intelligence. Here are some key features of IQVIA in the world of clinical research:

Innovative Clinical Development

IQVIA is reimagining clinical development by intelligently connecting data, technology, and analytics. This approach leads to faster decision-making and reduced risk, enabling the delivery of life-changing therapies more quickly.

Efficient Payment Systems for Clinical Trials 

They have simplified the process of paying sites involved in clinical trials. IQVIA offers the capability to make payments within 30 days, even in challenging locations. This significantly reduces the administrative burden of managing clinical trial payments by up to 90%.

Decentralized Trials Expertise

The company has conducted over 500 studies in more than 75 countries, covering over 30 indications using decentralized trial methodologies. This demonstrates their capability in managing complex, multinational clinical trials.

Global Reach and Impact

With a presence in various regions, including Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa, IQVIA’s global footprint allows it to drive healthcare innovations worldwide.

AI and Technology Integration

The company is at the forefront of integrating AI and other technologies in healthcare. Their Healthcare-grade AI promises precision, speed, scale, trust, and reliability, essential for advancing health and improving patient outcomes.

• Extensive, reliable healthcare data enhances market research quality.
• Utilizes AI and machine learning for advanced healthcare insights.
• Specialized focus yields a deep understanding of healthcare dynamics.
• Broad international presence enables diverse and large-scale studies.
• Offers advanced tools for insightful healthcare data analysis.
• Advanced tools can be challenging to use without training.
• Handling sensitive health data raises privacy and security issues.

Our Review of IQVIA

IQVIA, a prominent player in the healthcare and life sciences industry, presents a mixed bag of strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, we appreciate IQVIA’s extensive expertise in data analytics and healthcare consulting. 

Their comprehensive research and analysis have undoubtedly driven valuable insights and innovations in the sector. Moreover, their global presence allows for diverse perspectives and access to critical healthcare data.

However, we must also acknowledge some shortcomings. IQVIA’s services can be prohibitively expensive for smaller organizations, limiting accessibility. Additionally, the sheer volume of data can sometimes lead to information overload, making it challenging to extract actionable insights.

ICON is a prominent company in the field of clinical research, playing a significant role in advancing medical science. They specialize in designing and conducting clinical trials for new medicines and treatments. 

The work of ICON is crucial because they help determine the safety and effectiveness of these potential medical breakthroughs. They are considered one of the best in clinical research due to their high standards of accuracy, reliability, and ethical practices. 

ICON’s expertise ensures that the clinical trials they manage are conducted efficiently and effectively, leading to faster approval of new treatments. This directly impacts patient care, as it allows quicker access to new, potentially life-saving medicines. 

In essence, ICON’s contribution is vital in driving forward medical innovations.

• Founding Team: John Climax and Ronan Lambe
• Founding Year: 1990
• Company Size: 41,160

Features of ICON

Here are some of the key features of ICON in clinical research:

Diverse Clinical and Scientific Operations

ICON offers a wide range of clinical and scientific operations services, ensuring comprehensive support for various aspects of clinical trials. This includes everything from study design to execution and data analysis.

Decentralized Clinical Trial Solutions

They provide end-to-end services, operational models, and technology to deliver customized solutions for decentralized clinical trials. This approach is increasingly important in today’s clinical research landscape, offering flexibility and efficiency.

Specialized Therapeutic Areas

ICON has expertise across multiple therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, central nervous system, endocrine & metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, internal medicine & immunology, oncology, and more. This broad expertise allows them to handle a wide range of clinical research projects.

Innovative Solutions for Biotech

ICON provides full-service outsourcing and flexible support customized to the specific needs of biotech companies. This includes due diligence and asset valuation, which are critical for biotech firms navigating the complex landscape of drug development.

Advanced Medical Imaging Solutions

Their expert medical imaging solutions support all stages of clinical research, improving decision-making, increasing efficiency, and reducing trial costs.

• Decades of expertise ensure high-quality clinical research.
• Offers wide-reaching capabilities for multi-regional clinical studies.
• Deep understanding of global regulations enhances compliance and efficiency.
• Invests in new technologies for more efficient trial processes.
• Broad range of specialties contributes to comprehensive service offerings.
• Managing multi-regional trials can lead to logistical challenges.
• Rapid growth may strain resources and affect service quality.

Our Review of ICON

When we researched ICON, we found both commendable aspects and areas for improvement. On the positive side, we appreciate their commitment to clinical research and their global presence, which allows for diverse study options. Their experienced team and advanced technology contribute to reliable data collection and analysis.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. We have noticed occasional delays in project timelines, which can be frustrating. Additionally, the cost of their services tends to be on the higher side, making it a potential barrier for smaller research endeavors.

Parexel is a globally recognized company in clinical research, known for its important role in developing new medical treatments. They are one of the biggest clinical research organizations. Parexel conducts clinical trials, crucial steps in testing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs. 

The work of Parexel is essential because it bridges the gap between medical research and the availability of new treatments to patients. One of the reasons they stand out as one of the best in this field is their rigorous approach to research. 

Their commitment to quality and their global network also enables diverse and large-scale studies, setting them apart from others in the field. These strengths allow Parexel to deliver reliable and valuable data, accelerating the process of bringing new, effective medicines to the market. 

Simply put, Parexel is a key player in transforming medical research into real-world health solutions.

About Parexel

• Founding Team: Josef von Rickenbach and Anne B. Sayigh
• Company Size: 18,900

Features of Parexel

Parexel, a global biopharmaceutical services organization, offers a range of features in clinical research. Here are some key aspects of their approach:

Patient-Centric Approach

Parexel emphasizes a patient-first strategy in their clinical trials. This approach results in deeper and more relevant insights for trial design and execution. This ensures that the trials are more aligned with patient needs and experiences.

Innovative Trial Designs

Parexel employs innovative trial designs to optimize trials for maximum impact. This includes advanced modeling and simulation to predict drug effects ahead of time, which can save time, money, and resources.

Regulatory Compliance and Market Access

Parexel designs studies and endpoints with market access in mind, ensuring that they satisfy global regulations. This approach helps in getting treatments to patients safely and quickly.

Patient Advocacy and Engagement

The company includes patient advocates in their council, using their experiences to improve trial designs. This inclusion demonstrates their commitment to understanding and incorporating patient perspectives in clinical research.

Focus on Speed and Precision

Parexel aims to design neuroscience trials with speed and precision, utilizing the right experts and specializations. This focus is crucial in delivering effective treatments on time.

• Provides advanced technology and analytics for efficient data management.
• Extensive network provides global insights with regional knowledge.
• Expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments worldwide.
• Broad experience across various therapeutic areas ensures versatile solutions.
• Focuses on patient engagement for more effective trial outcomes.
• Rapid expansion can lead to challenges in resource management.
• Concentration in specific areas could pose risks in market shifts.

Our Review of Parexel

Parexel is a notable player in the field of clinical research and pharmaceutical services. We’ve thoroughly analyzed their offerings and found both strengths and areas that need improvement.

On the positive side, Parexel excels in its commitment to innovation and technology. We appreciate their continuous efforts to simplify clinical trials and drug development processes, making them more efficient.

However, we also noticed some downsides. Communication with clients could be more transparent, with clearer updates on project progress. Additionally, there’s room for improvement in terms of ensuring consistency in service quality across different projects.

Other 12 Companies of Clinical Research

In the world of clinical research, beyond the well-known names, there are 12 other companies making significant contributions. Let’s explore their vital role in advancing healthcare.

1. Syneos Health

Syneos Health helps develop medicines by managing clinical trials for new drugs. They’re essential because they ensure medicines are safe and effective. Syneos Health stands out in clinical research for its comprehensive services and global reach, making drug development smoother and faster.

About Syneos Health

• Founding Team: Colin Shannon
• Founding Year: 1980
• Company Size: 28,000

PPD is a group that tests new drugs to see if they’re good and safe. This is crucial for getting new treatments to people. They stand out for their thorough research and global reach.

• Founding Team: Fred Eshelman 
• Founding Year: 1985
• Company Size: 40,000+3

Labcorp does important tests and research for health. They’re needed because they help find out if new treatments are good. They’re among the best for their big labs and fast results.

About Labcorp

• Founding Team: Matthew Benger
• Founding Year: 1978
• Company Size: 75,5000

Medpace focuses on making sure new health treatments are safe. This is key for better medicine. They’re a top choice because of their focus on quality and detail in research.

About Medpace

• Founding Team: August Troendle
• Founding Year: 1992
• Company Size: 5,400

5. Charles River Laboratories

Charles River Laboratories tests drugs and does research to help pets and people stay healthy. They’re essential for safe, new treatments. Their expertise makes them a leader in the field.

About Charles River Laboratories

• Founding Team: Henry Foster
• Founding Year: 1947
• Company Size: 21,400

6. PRA Health Science

PRA Health Science works on finding out if new medicines are safe. This helps everyone get better treatments. They’re known for their excellent research and care in studies.

About PRA Health Science

• Founding Year: 1976
• Company Size: 17,000+

7. AdvanCell

AdvanCell specializes in new treatments, checking if they’re safe and working. Their work is vital for progress in medicine. They’re recognized for their innovation in research.

About AdvanCell

• Founding Team: Andrew Adamovich

Dynata gathers data for health studies. They’re needed for understanding what works in healthcare. They’re a top name for their accurate and wide-reaching data collection.

About Dynata

• Founding Team: Mike Petrullo
• Founding Year: 1940
• Company Size: 5000-10000

Covance helps with drug tests and research to fight diseases. Their role is key for new treatments. They’re celebrated for their comprehensive services and global impact.

About Covance

• Founding Team: Fred Cummings
• Founding Year: 1981
• Company Size: 50,000

MedNet provides software for managing clinical trials. This helps in making research easier and faster. They’re among the best for their tech solutions in research.

About MedNet

• Founding Team: John “Rob” Robertson
• Founding Year: 1996
• Company Size: 51-200

11. Fisher Clinical Services Inc.

Fisher Clinical Services Inc. manages the logistics of clinical trials, ensuring that treatments are tested efficiently. Their work is crucial for the progress of medicine, and they are renowned for their reliability and global network.

About Fisher Clinical Services Inc.

• Founding Team: John Pickering
• Founding Year: 1989

12. Worldwide Clinical Trials

Worldwide Clinical Trials conducts essential research to evaluate new medical treatments. Their work is critical for advancing healthcare. They are distinguished by their global expertise and commitment to innovation in clinical research.

About Worldwide Clinical Trials

• Founding Team: Neal Cutler
• Founding Year: 1986
• Company Size: 3,147

What To Consider When Choosing the Best Clinical Research Companies?

Choosing the right clinical research company (CRC) is crucial for the success of any clinical trial. Here’s a detailed guide on what to consider:

Expertise and Specialization

Always ensure the CRC has expertise in your specific therapeutic area. Companies with experience in similar drug trials or medical devices can better navigate the complexities of your project.

Regulatory Compliance

The CRC must adhere to regulatory guidelines like FDA (US) , EMA (Europe), and others. Check their track record in meeting these standards to avoid compliance issues.

Reputation and Track Record

You should research the company’s history. Look for testimonials, case studies, and reviews from past clients. A company with a strong reputation is likely to deliver quality results.

Project Management Capabilities

Effective project management is key. Assess their ability to manage timelines, budgets, and communication. A CRC that provides transparent, regular updates is preferable.

Patient Recruitment Strategies

Patient recruitment can be challenging. Evaluate their strategies for participant recruitment and retention. Consider their demographic reach and methods for ensuring a diverse participant pool.

Data Management and Analysis

The CRC should have strong systems for data collection, management, and analysis. Ask about their use of Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems and how they handle data security and confidentiality.

Cost and Financial Terms

Get a clear understanding of the cost structure. Consider the value for money rather than just the lowest cost. Ensure there are no hidden fees and clarify what is included in the quoted price.

How Heartbeat AI Can Help You Get the Best List of Clinical Research Organizations?

Heartbeat AI, with its advanced features, can significantly assist in identifying the best list of clinical research organizations (CROs). Here’s how its various features contribute to this process:

Data Analysis and Processing

Heartbeat AI excels in analyzing vast amounts of data. When it comes to selecting CROs, it can process and analyze information from numerous sources, including past performance records, clinical trial reports, and regulatory compliance data. This thorough analysis helps in identifying CROs with a proven track record of success and reliability.

Machine Learning Algorithms

These algorithms enable Heartbeat AI to learn from historical data and improve its recommendations over time. By understanding trends and patterns in the successful execution of clinical trials, it can better predict which CROs are likely to meet your specific needs.

Predictive Analytics

Heartbeat AI uses predictive models to forecast future trends and outcomes based on historical data. This can be invaluable in predicting the success rate of CROs in upcoming projects, thus aiding in making more informed choices.

Customization and Personalization

The AI can be customized to your specific requirements. If you’re focusing on a specific therapeutic area or clinical trial phase, Heartbeat AI can prioritize specialized CROs in these fields.

Real-time Data Updates

The healthcare and pharmaceutical landscapes are constantly changing. Heartbeat AI’s ability to integrate and analyze real-time data ensures that the recommendations are based on the most current information available.

Integration with External Databases

Heartbeat AI can integrate with various external databases and platforms. This enables it to pull in comprehensive information about CROs from diverse sources, enhancing the accuracy of its recommendations.

Claim $500 of Free Data  

Summing up, we’ve explored the best clinical research companies, diving into their features, strengths, weaknesses, and more. Clinical research is vital in healthcare; it’s key for advancing medical knowledge and developing new treatments. 

With this guide, you’re equipped to find the right clinical research company that meets your specific needs. Whether it’s for innovative therapies, drug development, or medical advancements, choosing the right partner is crucial. This guide serves as a valuable resource to help you make an informed decision in the complex world of clinical research.

Frequently Asked Question

What services do companies of clinical research offer.

Clinical research organizations offer a wide range of services, including protocol development, patient recruitment, data collection and analysis, regulatory compliance, and more.

What is the role of a clinical research coordinator?

A clinical research coordinator is responsible for managing various aspects of a clinical trial, including patient recruitment, data collection, and ensuring compliance with protocols.

What is informed consent in clinical research?

Informed consent is the process by which participants in a clinical trial are fully informed about the study’s purpose, risks, and benefits. They voluntarily agree to participate based on this information.

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The Top Players in Clinical Research: A Review of the Leading Companies

Top 10 leading clinical research companies in the usa.

The landscape of drug discovery and development is intricate, demanding significant resources at each stage of the process. As pharmaceutical companies strive to bring groundbreaking therapies to market, they increasingly rely on the expertise of Contract Research Organizations (CROs). These organizations play a vital role in supporting drug manufacturers throughout the entire drug development journey, from initial discovery to final approval. These CROs offer a comprehensive range of services, including clinical trial management, data research, and project management. Their critical role has become even more evident during the pandemic-induced challenges, where the need for rapid vaccine and drug development resulted in a surge of clinical trials.

The Impact of Covid-19 on Clinical Trials

At the outset of the pandemic, the clinical research landscape faced initial setbacks. However, the urgency to combat Covid-19 created an unprecedented rise in the number of clinical trials. The pressing demand for effective vaccines and treatments drove pharmaceutical companies and CROs to collaborate more than ever before. Looking ahead, the future of CROs appears promising, fueled by the rise of technologies that enable decentralized clinical trials. These modern approaches leverage digital tools and remote patient monitoring, reducing the need for physical site visits and expanding the reach of clinical research.

The Growth of the Global CRO Services Market

The significance of CROs is evident as the global CRO services market continues to expand exponentially. Projections indicate that this market, which was valued at US$76.6 billion , is expected to reach an impressive US$127.8 billion by 2028. This growth reflects the pivotal role CROs play in revolutionizing drug development and medical research.

Source: Markets&Markets

Unveiling the Best 10 Clinical Research Organizations in the Field

Join us as we embark on this insightful journey, where we shine a spotlight on the ten biggest CROs shaping the pharmaceutical landscape. –

Source: Lablcorp

Labcorp, a leading provider of comprehensive drug development solutions for various industries, achieved a significant milestone in 2015 with its acquisition of Covance for an impressive $6 billion. This strategic union brought together Covance's expertise in drug development and Labcorp's unparalleled medical testing capabilities, propelling the company to become the world's foremost healthcare diagnostics company.

Over the past decade, Labcorp has continued to expand its influence through a series of strategic acquisitions. Notable additions to their portfolio include LipoScience, Inc., Bode Technology Group, Sequenom, MNG Laboratories, and Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx). These acquisitions have further strengthened Labcorp's position in the market, broadening its scope and enhancing its ability to provide cutting-edge solutions.

Looking forward to 2023, Labcorp unveiled its plans to spin off its Contract Research Organization (CRO) segment, creating a separate, independent publicly traded entity known as Fortrea.

Source: IQVIA

In 2016, two industry giants, Quintiles and IMS Health, joined forces and rebranded as IQVIA, establishing the largest Contract Research Organization (CRO) globally. With a presence in over 100 countries, IQVIA brings together cutting-edge advancements in data science, technology, and human science expertise, offering clients a comprehensive end-to-end clinical and commercial service. Through a series of strategic acquisitions of smaller specialist companies, IQVIA has strengthened its position and continues to lead the way in the world of CROs.

In the year 2022, IQVIA demonstrated remarkable growth and success, generating revenues of $14.494b . This impressive growth, amounting to 3.29% on a reported basis and 7.8% at constant currency , highlighted the company's continued upward trajectory. Despite uncertain market conditions, IQVIA achieved record bookings and surpassed the goals set in their Vision 22 plan, underscoring their commitment to excellence and innovation.

Source: Parexel

Parexel continues to hold its position as one of the largest CROs globally. Specializing in Phase I to IV clinical development services, Parexel plays a vital role in expediting and ensuring the smooth progress of the drug approval process. With a comprehensive array of service offerings, the company caters to nearly every aspect of clinical trial management, supporting sponsors in conducting successful clinical studies.

In a significant development in November 2021, Parexel was acquired by EQT Private Equity and Goldman Sachs for a remarkable $8.5 billion . Despite this transition, the commitment to putting patients first remains unwavering, ensuring that Parexel maintains its patient-centric trajectory. The newly constituted board of directors brings together a wealth of experience in the life sciences industry, further strengthening Parexel's position as a leader in the field.

4. Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD)

Source: PPD

Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) stands as a leading global Contract Research Organization (CRO) with an extensive workforce of over 30,000 professionals worldwide.

The acquisition of Evidera in 2016 marked a significant milestone for PPD, solidifying their position as a leader in real-world research. Leveraging Evidera's expertise in real-world evidence, PPD has enhanced its capabilities in providing life science companies with a crucial element of the clinical development process, maintaining a competitive edge in the industry. Subsequent strategic acquisitions of Synexus (now Accelerated Enrollment Solutions) and Bioclinica, both patient recruitment and clinical research site businesses, respectively, have further augmented PPD's offerings. These collective advancements have propelled PPD's core organic growth to "high teens" in the segment, as the company achieved remarkable full-year 2022 results. With over $7.00 billion in revenue and a significant contribution of over $2.00 to adjusted earnings per share, PPD remains a dominant force in the CRO landscape, upholding their mission to facilitate groundbreaking clinical research and development.

5. Syneos Health

Source: Syneos Health

Founded in 1999, Syneos Health has its headquarters in Morrisville, North Carolina. With an impressive annual revenue of $5,213 million and a workforce of 28,000 employees, Syneos Health is a leading international Contract Research Organization (CRO) that offers a wide range of services spanning all aspects of bringing new therapies and products to the market.

While Syneos Health provides clinical development services across all stages of drug development, it has particularly specialized expertise in assisting healthcare organizations during the late stages of clinical trials. Some of them include Early phase trials, Late phase trials, Decentralized clinical trial solutions, Clinical data management, Pharmaceutical trial services, Medical device diagnostics trial services, and more.

Source: ICON

Operating across 46 locations worldwide, ICON is a top-tier Contract Research Organization (CRO) that provides a comprehensive range of services, including consulting, clinical development, and commercialization services.

In a pivotal move in 2016, ICON formed strategic partnerships with Genomics England for the UK's ambitious 100,000 Genomes Project and IBM Watson for oncology research support. These collaborations expanded ICON's service offerings and strengthened their presence in the fields of genomic science and oncology research, creating new opportunities for clinical research jobs in these cutting-edge sectors.

Additionally, the year 2022 marked a significant milestone for ICON, as it achieved impressive financial results. With full-year revenues amounting to US$7.7 billion , the company witnessed substantial growth of 41.2% compared to the previous year. On a constant currency basis, the revenue surge reached an outstanding 45%, reflecting ICON's continued success in advancing clinical research and serving as a leading partner for the life sciences industry.

7. Charles River Laboratories

Source: Charles River Lab.

Since its inception in 1947, this company has grown into an exceptional industry leader, specializing in cutting-edge cell and gene therapies. Not only does it provide vital lab services to the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech industries, but it also stands out with its impressive global presence. With a robust network spanning over 110+ facilities scattered robust network spanning over 110+ facilities scattered across 20+ countries, the company offers unmatched accessibility and support to clients worldwide, solidifying its reputation as a trailblazer in the field.

As of the latest data available in 2023, the company boasts an impressive annual revenue of 4.092B, a 12.73% increase year-over-year , reflecting its strong position in the market and significant contributions to the life sciences industry.

Source: CTI

CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services has been making waves in the industry since its establishment in 1999. With a remarkable track record of driving over 150 new drug and medical device approvals, the company has firmly established itself as a leader in the field.

Boasting a vast international footprint, CTI operates offices in more than 60 locations across the globe, ensuring its presence and support in key regions such as North America, Europe, Latin America, Middle-East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. In a strategic move in 2021, CTI further bolstered its position by announcing the acquisition of Dynakin, a European-based strategic consulting company. This acquisition aimed to fortify CTI's standing as a comprehensive and dynamic full-service clinical research organization, ready to take on the challenges of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Source: Medpace

MEDPACE is a global organization with a workforce of over 5,000 employees spread across 40 countries. In 2022, Medpace reported an impressive full-year revenue of $1.46 billion, reflecting a substantial 27.8% increase from the previous year. In an earnings call, Jesse Geiger, the President at Medpace, highlighted the company's ability to grow its workforce by 15.8% despite facing challenges in a competitive labor environment. In 2023, Medpace places significant emphasis on employee retention and ongoing recruitment as top priorities to support its future business endeavors.

10. Fisher Clinical Services

Source: Thermo Fisher

Fisher Clinical Services is a vital division of Thermo Fisher Scientific with a rich history of over two decades in supply chain management. The company's core focus centers on efficiently handling the distribution and packaging requirements for clinical trials conducted worldwide.

With an impressive annual revenue of $20 billion and a workforce of 70,000 employees, Fisher Clinical Services is dedicated to delivering high-value products that align with the rigorous standards of pharmaceutical companies, ensuring reliability, sustainability, and optimal performance. The company plays a crucial role in supporting the success of clinical trials across the globe.

In conclusion, the best Clinical Research Companies in the USA serve as indispensable partners for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries embarking on new medicine and medical device development. With the complexities of clinical trials escalating, CROs play a pivotal role in managing and leading these trials efficiently amidst rising prices, stringent regulations, and tighter deadlines.

As the pharmaceutical landscape continues to evolve, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly turning to Clinical Research Organizations for their R&D activities to maintain competitiveness, flexibility, and profitability. With their proven track record, comprehensive services, and commitment to excellence, the best Clinical Research Companies in the USA stand as crucial allies in the quest to advance medical science and improve patient outcomes. Through fruitful partnerships with CROs, the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries continue to push the boundaries of innovation and deliver life-changing products to those in need.

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Top 10 largest clinical research organizations

We take a look at the 10 biggest contract research organizations in the pharma sector in 2022.

The drug discovery process is complex. The clinical stage is particularly resource-intensive, something that has led to the rise in demand for contract research organizations (CROs) that can support drug manufacturers at each stage of the process, from discovery to approval. The core activities a CRO can provide include (but are not limited to) clinical trial management, data research and project management.

Despite an initial downturn at the start of the pandemic, Covid-19 created a spike in the number of clinical trials taking place due to the need for vaccines and drugs to tackle the virus.  In the coming years, we expect the rise of technologies that enable decentralized clinical trials to help expand the market share of CROs.

Currently the global CRO services market is projected to grow from US$73.38 bn to $163.48 bn by 2029. Here Pharma IQ takes a look at the 10 biggest CROs in pharma today.

Founded in 1982, IQVIA is an American multinational company formed through the merger of Quintiles, a leading provider of product development and integrated healthcare services, and IMS Health, a global information and technology services company. The latter has enabled company to have a strong focus on digital solutions and analytics. In 2017, Quintiles IMS rebranded to IQVIA.  

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, also known as Labcorp, is an American company that operates one of the largest clinical laboratory networks in the world. In an average week Labcorp processes tests on more than 3 million patient specimens. In 2020 the company earned revenue in excess of $14 bn.

Syneos Health

Founded in 1999, Syneos Health was created following the merger of two biopharmaceutical companies: INC Research and inVentive health. Today it has offices in more than 110 countries and offers services as a CRO as well as consultancy.  

Founded in 1985 as a one-person consultancy firm, Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) is a global contract research organization that provides drug development, lab and lifecycle management services. In 2020 the company made US$4.7bn and the following year it became part of Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Headquartered in Dublin, Icon provides strategic management and support for clinical development from the compound selection stage through to clinical trials. Its services include  clinical trials management, biometric activities, investigator recruitment and outcomes research.

Parexel was founded in 1982 and acquired by private equity firm Pamplona Capital in 2017 in a deal worth $5 bn. In 2021 it was bought by EQT Private Equity and Goldman Sachs Asset Management.  The company conducts clinical trials and operates in more than 50 countries. It makes around $3 bn in revenue annually.

Charles River Laboratories

Founded in 1947, today this company specializes in cell and gene therapies as well as lab services for the pharmaceutical, medical device and biotech industries. As of 2021 it operates more than 90 facilities in 20 countries and has an annual revenue of $3.54 bn.

Award-winning MedPace has offices on six continents, with headquarters in Ohio where it has a clinical research campus and a number of clinical and bioanalytical laboratories. It provides clinical trial services for Phase I-IV studies in the biotech, pharma and medical device industries. Its revenue has been growing steadily year- on-year and is currently almost $1 bn.

CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services

This organization was founded in 1999 to provide clinical trial services and bring new drugs to market. It operates in more than 60 countries and since its inception has contributed to the approval of more than 150 new drugs and medical devices around the world.

WuXi AppTec 

Founded in 2000 in Shanghai, WuXi AppTec is the newest company in our top 10. It provides services across the entire development cycle including small molecule R&D and manufacturing, biologics R&D and manufacturing, cell and gene therapy. It currently operates in 18 locations across China, Iceland and the US.

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10 Best Clinical Research Organizations In The USA

With the growing population, diseases affecting mankind are also increasing. The old medications are being obsolete for certain diseases like bacterial infections, and new effective medicines are urgently needed. The clinical research institutions facilitate drug manufacture by running preclinical and clinical tests on the drugs. In addition, they also study safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of medical devices, diagnostic products, and treatment regimens intended for human health. The healthcare industry is booming with a lot of clinical research institutions in the US and all around the world.

Table of Contents

Top 10 American CROs

The United States of America has some of the top clinical research organizations in the world. Amongst them, here is the list of the 10 Best Clinical Research Organizations In The USA.

Annual Revenue: $9.6B Headquarters: Princeton, New Jersey Number of Employees: 50,000+ Total Funding: $0 Status: Public, Subsidiary of LabCorp Founded: 1996

In 2014, LabCorp acquired Covance for $6.1B. Covance, a global contract research organization under LabCorp, is the world’s leading healthcare diagnostics company, providing comprehensive clinical laboratory services and end-to-end solutions for drug and diagnostics development and commercialization. With its mission to bring new and innovative medicines to patients sooner, it has worked on more than 50 drugs available in the market today. It provides drug development services across all phases of development and multiple therapeutic areas.

Annual Revenue: $9.74B Headquarters: Durham, North Carolina Number of Employees: 55,000 Operating Income: $1.33B Status: Public, Independent Company Founded: 1982

Working to enhance healthcare by integrating health information technologies and clinical research, IQVIA explores a new path to better health outcomes via Human Data Science. It integrates the study of human science with breakthroughs in data science and technology to advance our understanding of human health, and help everyone make better, more insightful decisions.

3. Syneos Health

Annual Revenue: $1.9B Headquarters: Morrisville, North Carolina Number of Employees: 21,000 Total Funding: $0 Status: Public, Independent Company Founded: 1999

Syneos Health integrates all the disciplines involved in bringing new therapies to market, from clinical to commercial, for biopharmaceutical solutions. In January 2018, INC Research merged with inVentiv Health, the parent company of a subsidiary called Syneos, and the resulting company was named Syneos Health.

4. Parexel International

Annual Revenue: $2.4B Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts Number of Employees: 18,660 Total Funding: $0 Status: Public, Subsidiary of Pamplona Capital Management LLP Founded: 1982

Parexel International is involved in advancing the success of biopharmaceutical and medical device industries for the development and commercialization of new medical therapies worldwide. It is the second-largest clinical research organization in the world and has helped develop approximately 95% of the 200 top-selling biopharmaceuticals on the market today.

5. PRA Health Sciences

Annual Revenue: $2.7B Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina Number of Employees: 16,400 Total Funding: $305.6M Status: Public, Subsidiary of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L. P Founded: 1976

PRA participated in the pivotal or supportive trials and/or key NDA support services that led to the approval of 85 important products currently on the market. Its aim is to improve the drug development process for getting better medicines to market sooner.

6. Pharmaceutical Product Development

Annual Revenue: $1.9B Headquarters: Wilmington, North Carolina Number of Employees: 18,583 Total Funding: $0 Status: Private, Independent Company Founded: 1985

PPD applies innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise, and a firm commitment to provide comprehensive, integrated drug development, laboratory, and lifecycle management services. Its clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic, and government organizations. It helps to bend the cost and time curve of drug development and optimize value in delivering life-changing therapies to improve health.

7. Charles River   Laboratories

Annual Revenue: $2.27B Headquarters: Wilmington, Massachusetts Number of Employees: 14,700 Total Funding: $224M Status: Public, Independent Company Founded: 1947

Having worked on about 85% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2018, Charles River  Laboratories operates 80+ facilities in 20 countries worldwide. It offers a wide range of products and services that span the entire drug discovery and development continuum and can be tailored to specific research conditions.

Annual Revenue: $2.2B Headquarters: Leopardstown, County Dublin Number of Employees: 13,250 Total Funding: $0 Status: Public, Independent Company Founded: 1990

Icon helps its clients to accelerate the development of drugs and devices that save lives and improve quality of life. It offers a full range of consulting, development, and commercialization services from a global network of offices in 37 countries.

9. WuXi AppTec

Annual Revenue: $674.3M Headquarters: Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality Number of Employees: 3,800 Total Funding: $2.6B Status: Public, Subsidiary of WuXi PharmaTech, Inc, Shanghai Stock Exchange Founded: 2000

WuXi AppTec Group, with 18 facilities in the USA and China combined, is a global pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and medical device company. It covers the development cycle through five core operations, including small molecule R&D and manufacturing, biologics R&D and manufacturing, cell therapy and gene therapy R&D and manufacturing, medical device testing, and molecular testing and genomics.

10. Medpace Holdings

Annual Revenue: $704.6M Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio Number of Employees: 2,900 Total Funding: $161M Status: Public, Subsidiary of Cinven Limited Founded: 1992

Medpace provides services for Phase I-IV of drug and medical device development services, including regulatory services and central laboratory services. It combines scientific guidance, efficient clinical trial management, global regulatory leadership, and innovative technologies to deliver high-quality results.

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Top Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) in the United States (US)

The relentless pursuit of medical advancement has led to a surge in the demand for high-quality clinical research. With an ever-growing number of pharmaceutical and biotech companies outsourcing their research and development (R&D) processes, the role of Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) has become indispensable. This article sheds light on the top CROs in the US, highlighting their strengths, core service offerings, and unique features that make them a preferred choice for sponsors.

IQVIA , formerly known as Quintiles and IMS Health, tops the list of CROs in the US. With over 88,000 employees operating in more than 100 countries, IQVIA offers a wide array of clinical trial solutions.

Services Offered

• Protocol Design Assistance
• Phase 1 Clinical Trials Design
• Phase 2 and 3 Clinical Trials Assessment and Improvement
• Site Identification and Selection
• Patient Recruitment
• Access to Global Laboratories

IQVIA’s extensive experience and global reach make it a go-to choice for sponsors seeking comprehensive clinical trial support.

Next on our list is Parexel , a global CRO that has made a mark in conducting clinical trials on behalf of its pharmaceutical partners. With operations running in more than 50 countries and a team of over 18,000 employees, Parexel specializes in accelerating the drug approval process.

• Clinical Trial Design and Development
• Clinical Data Management
• Decentralized Clinical Trials
• Clinical Supply Chain Management
• Medical Writing
• Regulatory Affairs Consulting
• Pharmacovigilance
• Biostatistics

Parexel's wide range of service offerings cover nearly every aspect of clinical trial service, making it a preferred partner for sponsors.

3. Lindus Health

Lindus Health ranks third on our list, with its experience running trials across different indications in the US and a robust US clinical operations team. Lindus has carved a niche for itself with its unique milestone pricing model and electronic health record (EHR) recruitment technology.

• Protocol Design and Development
• Regulatory Compliance
• Data Management and Biostatistics

Lindus's innovative pricing model and the use of advanced technology set it apart from other CROs in the US.

4. ICON plc

ICON is another significant player in the CRO landscape and has grown into one of the largest CROs globally.

• Decentralized Clinical Trials Platform
• Protocol Consultation and Study Design
• Onsite Support Services
• Customized Solutions for Biotech
• Clinical Diagnostics
• Site Commercial Solutions

After its acquisition of PRA , ICON has broadened its clinical research services, making it a preferred partner for many sponsors.

5. Syneos Health

Syneos Health , formerly known as InVentiv Health Incorporated and INC Research, specializes in assisting companies with late-stage clinical trials. Based in Morrisville, North Carolina, Syneos Health currently employs more than 25,000 people and operates in over 91 locations.

• Decentralized Clinical Trials Solutions
• Bioanalytical Solutions
• Early Phase
• Phase II-III/Phase IIIb-IIIV
• Medical Device Diagnostics
• Clinical Project Management
• Clinical Monitoring
• Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance
• Site and Patient Access

Syneos Health's comprehensive service offerings and global presence make it a preferred choice for sponsors looking for support in late-stage clinical trials.

Selecting the Right CRO: Key Considerations

Choosing the right CRO is crucial in determining the success of a clinical trial. Here are some essential questions to consider while selecting a CRO:

• What services does the CRO provide?
• What is the CRO's track record in successful trial completion?
• What is the CRO's communication workflow?
• What is the CRO's client satisfaction record?
• How does the CRO adapt when encountering challenges with running a clinical trial?
• Which parts of operating the clinical trial will the CRO be outsourcing?
• Does the CRO have experience running international trials?
• What is the CRO's relationship with patients?

In conclusion, the top CROs in the US, such as IQVIA, Parexel, Lindus, PRA Health Sciences, and Syneos Health, offer a wide range of services to facilitate the smooth execution of clinical trials . Their expertise, coupled with their commitment to quality and innovation, makes them a preferred choice for sponsors. However, choosing the right CRO ultimately depends on understanding the unique needs of your clinical trial and finding a CRO that aligns with these requirements.

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Top 28 Companies in Pharmaceutical Clinical Trials

The pharmaceutical clinical trials industry plays an indispensable role across the global healthcare spectrum. Made of numerous companies, their primary responsibility involves conducting research, managing clinical trials, and ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical treatments. These corporations frequently collaborate with pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, healthcare organizations, and research institutes. As innovation intensifies and international healthcare challenges elevate, the pharmaceutical clinical trials industry is set to register unprecedented expansion, while contributing towards the introduction of advanced medical treatments and therapies.

Top 28 Pharmaceutical Clinical Trials Companies

• Website: parexel.com
• Headquarters: Newton, Massachusetts, United States
• Founded: 1982
• Headcount: 10001+
• Latest funding type: Acquired

Parexel is a global company that offers services and solutions in the clinical research and healthcare industry. They provide expertise in various areas such as clinical trial management, regulatory outsourcing, medical monitoring, and consulting. They work with pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and other healthcare organizations to support the development and advancement of new medicines and therapies.

2. Worldwide Clinical Trials

• Website: worldwide.com
• Headquarters: Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
• Founded: 1986
• Headcount: 1001-5000

Worldwide.com is a global company specializing in clinical trial services and real-world evidence. With over 35 years of experience, they offer a range of services including clinical monitoring, data management, drug safety, patient recruitment, and project management. They focus on therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular, metabolic, neuroscience, oncology, and rare diseases. Their innovative lab services and personalized approach make them a trusted partner in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Website: medpace.com
• Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
• Founded: 1992
• Latest funding type: Ipo

Medpace is a full-service Contract Research Organization (CRO) that accelerates the advancement of safe and effective medical therapeutics. With a global reach, Medpace offers a wide range of services including clinical trial management, patient recruitment, and drug safety monitoring.

4. Premier Research

• Website: premier-research.com
• Headquarters: Morrisville, North Carolina, United States
• Founded: 1989
• Latest funding type: Series Unknown

Premier Research is a clinical research organization that helps innovative biotech and specialty pharma companies transform ideas and breakthrough science into new medical treatments. They offer a range of services, including product development consulting, global regulatory consulting, nonclinical studies, quality assurance, and project management.

5. Novotech

• Website: novotech-cro.com
• Headquarters: Sydney, Nsw, Australia
• Founded: 1996
• Latest funding type: Debt Financing

Novotech is a leading Asia Pacific biotech specialist CRO that offers cost competitive solutions for clinical research. They provide a full range of services including medical and regulatory consulting, patient recruitment, site selection, and clinical operations. With expertise in infectious diseases, vaccines, and biometrics, Novotech offers high-quality research and data management. They have a large homogenous population and locations in various countries.

6. Clinipace

• Website: clinipace.com
• Founded: 2003
• Headcount: 501-1000

Clinipace is a global CRO that specializes in clinical research and development. They provide personalized solutions to biotech and pharmaceutical companies, offering expertise in clinical technology, analytics, regulatory and strategic product development. With a focus on collaboration and control, Clinipace guides their clients through the entire clinical development program.

7. Crown Bioscience

• Website: crownbio.com
• Headquarters: San Diego, California, United States
• Founded: 2006

Crown Bioscience is a Contract Research Organization (CRO) that empowers customers to improve human health. They engage scientific talent, uphold quality standards, and pursue innovation to accelerate and de-risk drug development. Their services include biomarker discovery, efficacy testing, DMPK, and pharmacology.

8. Veeda Clinical Research Limited

• Website: veedacr.com
• Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
• Founded: 2004
• Latest funding type: Private Equity

Veeda Clinical Research is a company that provides quality research solutions for sponsors and regulatory authorities. They conduct early phase clinical trials in healthy volunteers and patients, specializing in ophthalmology trials. Additionally, they offer bioequivalence and bioavailability studies, drug discovery and development services, clinical endpoint phase III studies, and safety monitoring services.

9. Quanticate

• Website: quanticate.com
• Headquarters: Hitchin, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1994
• Headcount: 201-500

Quanticate is a global biometric Clinical Research Organization (CRO) offering statistical and data expertise. They help pharmaceutical and biotech companies bring their drugs to market by providing fast and reliable access to expert biometric teams. Their services include biostatistics, statistical programming, clinical data management, and biostatistical consultancy.

10. Nucleus Network

• Website: nucleusnetwork.com.au
• Headquarters: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Nucleus Network is a company that offers clinical research services focusing on early phase and vaccine trials. They provide state-of-the-art facilities, experienced staff, and innovative approaches to help pharmaceutical and biotech companies accelerate their drug development processes.

11. Richmond Pharmacology

• Website: richmondpharmacology.com
• Headquarters: London, London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 2001
• Headcount: 51-200

Richmond Pharmacology is a Clinical Research Organisation that conducts early phase clinical trials in a wide range of medical conditions with patients and healthy volunteers. They work with international pharmaceutical and biotech organizations to drive innovation in the field of clinical research.

12. Integrium, LLC

• Website: integrium.com
• Headquarters: Tustin, California, United States
• Founded: 1998

Integrium is a full-service Clinical Proof of Concept (PoC) firm specializing in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular, metabolic disease, and dermatology research. We assist pharmaceutical companies in designing and executing clinical trials to achieve their objectives on time and with expected quality. With cutting-edge technology and unparalleled services, we play a crucial role in advancing new medical advancements. Our team of experts works collaboratively with clients, investigators, and vendors to ensure the successful implementation of clinical trials.

13. Mithra Biotechnology Inc.

• Website: mithracro.com
• Headquarters: 新北市 New Taipei City, Taiwan, Taiwan
• Founded: 1988

MithraCro is a biotechnology company specializing in pharmaceutical analysis services, with expertise in bioequivalence testing, clinical trial services, drug metabolism research, and protein analysis.

14. Pearl Therapeutics

• Website: devprobiopharma.com
• Headquarters: Morristown, New Jersey, United States
• Founded: 2020
• Headcount: 11-50

DevPro Biopharma is a clinical research and development accelerator that specializes in transforming molecules into medicines. They offer comprehensive services to assist in the development of pharmaceutical products.

15. Almac Group

• Website: almacgroup.com
• Headquarters: Craigavon, County Armagh, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1968
• Headcount: 5001-10000
• Latest funding type: Grant

Almac Group provides a range of services in the pharmaceutical industry, including storage and distribution, product launch and distribution, API development and manufacture, clinical trial assays, genomic services, clinical testing, and clinical supply chain management. They offer flexible solutions to meet the needs of their clients and ensure the successful launch and distribution of pharmaceutical products. Almac Group is committed to exceptional quality and customer satisfaction.

16. 4B Technologies, Ltd

• Website: 4btechnologies.com
• Headquarters: 苏州市, Jiangsu, China
• Founded: 2017
• Latest funding type: Series B

4B Technologies is a biopharmaceutical company with a leadership team composed of elite professionals from various fields. They are dedicated to developing innovative and effective treatments for neurological diseases.

17. TechnoDerma Medicines

• Website: tkskin.com
• Headquarters: Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
• Founded: 2014
• Latest funding type: Series A

Techonderma Medicines, Inc. is a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for various skin conditions.

• Website: caidya.com

Caidya is a clinical research organization (CRO) that offers personalized services and expertise in various therapeutic areas. They specialize in conducting regional or multinational studies using efficient operational models, local market knowledge, and advanced technologies. Caidya is committed to transparency, clinical development expertise, and personalized experiences for their clients.

19. Novum Pharmaceutical Research Services

• Website: novumprs.com
• Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
• Founded: 1972

Novum is a global clinical research organization (CRO) with a focus on delivering high-quality research outcomes and exceptional customer satisfaction. With nearly fifty years of experience, Novum offers a comprehensive suite of services in early clinical development, bioanalytical testing, and phase II-IV clinical trial management. The company's dedicated and skilled team, extensive training programs, and global resources enable efficient project optimization and streamline timelines and budgets.

20. PharPoint Research, Inc.

• Website: pharpoint.com
• Headquarters: Durham, North Carolina, United States
• Founded: 2007

PharPoint Research provides drug development solutions to clients of all sizes. Contact us to speak with a representative about how PharPoint can help with your current or upcoming study needs.

21. NC Coast Clinical Research Initiative

• Website: nccoastclinicalresearch.com
• Headquarters: United States
• Founded: 2012

NC Coast Clinical Research is a consortium of 60+ CROs and 100+ clinical research support companies, providing comprehensive integrated drug development, laboratory and lifecycle management services.

22. Quinta-analytica

• Website: quinta.cz
• Headquarters: Praha 10, Hlavni Mesto Praha, Czechia
• Founded: 1997

Quinta is an innovative and trusted world leader in pharmaceutical analysis, R&D, and clinical testing in both human and veterinary medicinal products.

23. LINK Medical Research

• Website: linkmedical.eu
• Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
• Founded: 1995

LINK Medical Research is a leading contract research organization (CRO) in Northern Europe. They offer a strategic partnership and provide highly competent teams and evidence-based documentation for superior clinical outcomes. From early phase development to post-marketing, they offer expert guidance through every stage of product development. With a well-integrated local presence in the Nordics, UK, and Germany, they make the journey to market simple and cost-effective.

24. Medlab Clinical Ltd

• Website: medlab.co
• Headquarters: Botany, New South Wales, Australia

Medlab.co is a company that specializes in drug delivery technology. They have a proprietary NanoCelle® platform with 57 patents worldwide. They offer partnering opportunities, clinical trials, and a range of products. Medlab.co is committed to transforming medicine and improving patient outcomes.

25. Clexio Biosciences

• Website: clexio.com
• Headquarters: Petach Tikva, Israel, Israel
• Founded: 2018

Clexio Biosciences is a multi-asset company dedicated to developing novel therapies for patients suffering from neurological and psychiatric conditions.

26. Suzhou Abogen Biosciences

• Website: abogenbio.com
• Headquarters: 苏州市, 江苏省, China
• Founded: 2019
• Latest funding type: Series C

Abogenbio is a biotechnology company focused on innovative drug development and research. With a team culture of openness and collaboration, we strive to bring hope and healing to patients through the creation of groundbreaking medicines. We are dedicated to fostering a fearless and accountable environment where partners can thrive and pave the way for a brighter future.

27. Abond CRO Inc.

• Website: abondcro.com
• Headquarters: Allendale, Michigan, United States
• Founded: 1974

ABOND is a full-service CRO that offers consulting, clinical operations, data management, and statistical analysis. Our commitment to honesty, focus, and responsibility sets us apart. We provide reliable outcomes and are always answerable for our work.

28. Novatek Pharmaceuticals

• Website: novatekpharmaceuticals.com

Novatek Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a startup based in Houston, TX that provides scientific guidance and conducts clinical research for immunomodulatory drugs related to cancers and infectious diseases. They are currently raising Series A for clinical trials and pipeline development.

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